The current political climate is making me sad. Probably I should use more flowery language, perhaps a metaphor, even a simile would do. But I don't feel like it. Because I feel sad. There is a great depression in my psyche that is threatening to uproot my core beliefs. I'm getting a case of the 'why should I bother's and this is a very serious condition; a condition that more than likely would not be covered if PPACA is repealed and as such it is one of the very reasons why I MUST bother. Election 2012 is all about what I hold dear in my personal moral code: the belief that I am my brother's (and sister's) keeper.
-By Leah Bonnema (Stand Up Comic)
Since the debate (it is only the first debate I remind myself) I have felt an overwhelming sadness about the state of our nation. I don't know what to think anymore or how to have hope. We seem so divided and instead of finding ways to work things out and compromise it is all name calling and finger pointing. We (and I am including myself in this) seem to no longer have respect for each other and I do not feel good about it. I want so much for us to be great. To have a healthy dialogue, to disagree in a way that promotes cooperation and mutual betterment. I am clearly off my medication.
Full disclosure about my political leanings: I am a registered Democrat. I vote in primaries, I volunteer, I write letters, I donate. Not just for the party but for the issues that I care most about: health care reform, environmental protection, women's reproductive freedoms, keeping jobs in the United States, laws protecting animals from abuse, funding for our returning soldiers/Vets and for their families and marriage equality.
That being said I can very much understand some moderate conservative notions. AND I recognize people's right to have a difference of opinion. I do not agree with all policies the Democrats put forth. And I certainly do not like all Democrats that are voted in as our representatives. But I do hold certain core beliefs about what is important in terms of social responsibility, freedom of choice and how long term benefits work, these for me outweigh everything else.
I feel like often people vote for someone just because they hate the other person. For example, some people really just hate liberals. And I get it, I've worked at non-profits. Democrats can be annoying. But it is disheartening that instead of looking into the actual issues people just hate on other groups of people (especially when Liberals are fighting for the general well being of the population). I have made a concerted effort to only hate on specific examples or specific individuals after I have researched them. Which I think is perfectly fair and completely reasonable.
Voting for Romney just because one thinks Obama is annoying is like me being unwilling to watch any Natalie Portman films because I feel (perhaps an irrational) anger towards her for her performance in the "Star Wars" prequels. Leon: The Professional is a great movie. V for Vendetta is a great movie. I hear that the ballet movie where she eats her own fingernails is quite fantastic but I refused to watch it; so really it is only me who is being punished because I have some misplaced feelings towards Portman. Do you (not you you but The Royal You) see what I am getting at?!
If I am middle income, lower income, a vet, have a uterus, have children and want them to be able to have access to affordable and quality education, have or care about anyone who has a pre-existing condition, have family members in the military, why would I vote against an administration that has these individuals needs in mind just because I don't like the way Portman speaks in The Phantom Menace?!
